People have been trying to pension off DeAndre Hopkins for three years now. It’s almost a tradition at this point. Every time his production dips or he pops up on a new injury report, the "retirement" whispers start getting loud. Honestly, it’s kinda funny when you look at the tape.
He's not gone. Far from it.
If you're asking did deandre hopkins retire, the short answer is no. As of early 2026, the man is very much an active NFL player, though his jersey might look a little different the next time you see him on a Sunday. After a 2025 season with the Baltimore Ravens that didn't exactly set the world on fire statistically, Nuk is hitting free agency with a chip on his shoulder the size of a Clemson helmet.
The Truth About Those DeAndre Hopkins Retirement Rumors
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what happened recently. Just a few weeks ago, specifically on January 1, 2026, Hopkins went on "The Lounge" podcast. He wasn't there to announce a farewell tour. He was there to set the record straight.
"I definitely want to play. I know I want to play one more year for sure," Hopkins told the hosts. He even took a shot at the doubters, pointing back to the first game of the 2025 season where he roasted Christian Benford for a touchdown. He basically said he can still beat anyone's No. 1 corner.
You've got to respect the confidence.
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Even though he's 33 years old—which is basically 100 in wide receiver years—he doesn't feel like a guy who’s ready to start a career in broadcasting. He finished the 2025 regular season with career lows: 22 catches, 330 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Those aren't "All-Pro" numbers. But if you watched the Ravens games, you saw a guy who was mostly used as a decoy or a situational red-zone threat behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews.
He didn't get worse; he just got fewer chances.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Him Right Now
The reason the "did deandre hopkins retire" search is blowing up is because his one-year contract with Baltimore is officially voiding. He’s about to become an unrestricted free agent. In the NFL, "out of a contract" often gets mistranslated as "out of the league" by casual fans.
Here is the reality of his situation heading into the 2026 offseason:
- Free Agency: He’s hitting the open market in March 2026.
- The Harbaugh Factor: There is massive speculation about a reunion. Since John Harbaugh moved on to the New York Giants recently, the rumor mill is spinning that Hopkins might follow his old coach to the Big Apple.
- Physical Health: He actually stayed relatively healthy in 2025, which is a big deal. His 15 yards per reception was actually his highest mark since his second year in the league.
He’s still got the hands. The speed? Yeah, that’s faded a bit. You aren't going to see him winning many 40-yard footraces against a 22-year-old rookie. But his ability to win contested catches in the corner of the end zone is still elite.
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What Really Happened in Baltimore?
The Ravens experiment was... weird. They signed him to a $5 million deal in March 2025, hoping he’d be the veteran presence Lamar Jackson needed to finally get over the Super Bowl hump.
It didn't quite work out that way.
The Ravens struggled early, starting 1-5. While they clawed back into the hunt, the offense became much more focused on the ground game with Derrick Henry and the quick-twitch ability of Flowers. Hopkins became the odd man out.
Some fans on Reddit and local Baltimore radio have been calling him "just a name" at this stage. It’s a harsh assessment. When you're only getting three or four targets a game, it's hard to look like a superstar. But in his own words, he’s "very hungry." That’s usually bad news for defensive backs who think he’s washed.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
So, what’s next? If he isn't retiring, where is he going?
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The Giants seem like the most logical landing spot because of the coaching connection. They need a veteran who can catch anything thrown within a five-mile radius of the sideline. Other teams mentioned in the grapevine include the Buffalo Bills—who always seem to be one veteran receiver away—or even a return to a contender like the San Francisco 49ers if the money makes sense.
Hopkins has earned over $144 million in his career. He doesn't need the paycheck. He needs a ring. He came close with the Chiefs in 2024, but that Super Bowl loss to the Eagles still clearly haunts him.
He’s not done. He’s just waiting for the right phone call.
If you are following his career, keep an eye on the legal tampering period in March. That's when we'll find out if a team is willing to give him that "one more year" he’s asking for. Until then, any talk of him hanging up the cleats is just noise. He’s still Nuk. He’s still got those massive hands. And he’s still planning on being a problem for NFL secondaries in 2026.
Actionable Steps for NFL Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve on the Hopkins news, here is what you should do:
- Monitor the Giants' coaching staff: If more former Ravens coaches land in New York, the odds of Hopkins signing there skyrocket.
- Watch the Salary Cap: Teams with $20M+ in space are the primary candidates for a one-year veteran deal.
- Check Social Media: Hopkins is famous for "deleting" cryptic tweets. If he posts a photo of a new city, believe it—even if he takes it down five minutes later.
The story isn't over yet. It’s just moving to a new city.